Garment support



July 3, 1951 H. A. TOMARIN 2,559,096

GARMENT SUPPORT Filed Sept. 25, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 P i INVENTOR.

" HARRY A. TOMARIN WW7 ATTO NEY H. A. TOMARIN GARMENT SUPPORT July 3, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 25, 1946 llnlllllhll INVENTOR. HARRY A. TOMARIN ATT NE Z y 1951 H. A. TOMARIN 2,559,096

GARMENT SUPPORT Filed Sept. 25, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Mai/V1012. HARRY A. TOMARIN ATTO Patented July 3, 195i GARMENT SUPPORT Harry A. Tomarin, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to Loroco Industries Incorporated, Reading, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application September 25, 1946, Serial No. 699,321

4 Claims.

portion of evening gowns, negligees and other similar garments characterized by'their unusual length without mussing, creasing or otherwise wrinkling the skirt portion.

A further object of the invention is to provide a support member for attachment to a standard garment hanger for shortening the overall length of evening gowns, negligees and other similar garments characterized by their unusual length when suspended from a standard garment hanger, wherein said support includes a skirt supporting element over-which the skirt portion of a garment may be draped, without mussing, and wherein said support is provided with means for precluding accidental and/ or unintentional disengagement of the skirt portion from the supporting member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a supporting device having the hereinabove described characteristics which may be fabricated from inexpensive light weight cardboard, and wherein the strength characteristics of cardboard are greatly increased by means of an inexpensive reenforcing or bearing member also formed from cardboard.

A further object of'the invention is to provide a support'member for attachment to a standard garment hanger for shortening the overall length of evening gowns, negligees and other similar garments characterized by their unusual length by providing a supporting member spaced remote from the standard hanger over which the skirt portion of such garments may be draped, and wherein the body portion of said support, when suspended from a standard hanger, will overlie the body portion of the garment being supported thereby, thereby affording additional protection to said garment.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a device having the hereinabove described characteristics, and which may be fabricated from cardboard, or other similar inexpensive, light weight materials such as, by. way of example, chip board, liner board, paper board, and the like, using modern mass production methods.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein and as disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an extended blank comprising a detail of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side plan view of a reenforcing .or bearing support member comprising a detail of the invention.

'Fig. 3 is a side view of the blank of Fig. 1, with the bearing member of Fig. 2 associated therewith.

Fig. 4 is a front view of the support member of Fig. 1 associated with a standard garment hanger for shortening the overall length of an evening gown, negligee, or other similar garment characterized by its unusual length.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5--5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a front view of a modified form of device comprising a detail of the present invention shown suspended from a standard garment hanger.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper end of the support member of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a partial top plan view of a modified form of support member.

Heretofore garments, such as evening gowns, negligees and similar garments characterized by their unusual length have presented storage and packaging problems not only to the owners of such garments but also the dry-cleaning establishments, retail stores, and other commercial enterprises which deal in such garments.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide simple, inexpensive means for enabling garments, such as negligees, evening gowns and the like, to be supported from a standard hanger with the skirt portion neatly draped in such a manner as to effectively shorten the overall length or dimension of the garment, thereby enabling it to be more conveniently handled, packaged and stored without mussing.

With reference now to Fig. 1, it will be noted that one embodiment of my invention mayconsist of a sheet of material, such as cardboard, chip board, liner board, paper board, and the like, which is suitably cut to provide a body portion In definied by a pair of upper edges ll, side edges l2 and bottom edge l3. Preferably, though not necessarily, side edges l2 may be given the contour disclosed in Fig. 1, for defining a sub stantially rectangular area, denoted generally by the numeral I4, adjacent the lower third of the blank and curved portion I5 for the upper or remaining part of the blank.

A supporting edge I6 is provided in the body by means of a slit I06 provided in said body portion in spaced parallelism with bottom edge I3, said slit having a length less than the width of the lower portion of body portion II] for providing a pair of laterally spaced end members or supporting areas I! from which the material I8 disposed below said slit is suspended, Figs. 1 and 8.

With reference now to Fig. 1, it will be observed that a pair of depending flaps 20 may be provided immediately above and at opposite ends of said slit, wherein said flaps are hingedly secured to body portion In along score lines 22 in such a manner that their lower edges 24 will frictionally engage the supporting surface I6. If desired, lower edge 24 of the flaps may be serrated as at 26 for providing a series of teeth in lieu of a straight bearing surface.

A large aperture 28 is provided in the lower rectangular body portion I4, said aperture defining an area above the central portion of edge I 6 and between flaps 22 of sufficient size to accommodate the hand and arm of an operator or user of the device.

With reference to Fig. 8, it will be noted that upper edge of slit I06 adjacent the lower side edges of aperture 28 forms flap member 29 which .cooperate with edge I06 for providing a locking efiect similar to that of flaps 20.

The upper portion of the blank may be provided with an upstanding tab portion 30 which is provided with a pair of laterally spaced parallel score lines 32 and 34 respectively for defining attaching tabs 36 and 38, each of which is provided with an opening 46 dimensioned to receive the hook portion of a so-called standard hanger.

A hearing member, denoted generally by the numeral 42 (see Fig. 2) having an overall length sufficient to span the distance between end members I7, and having an arcuate cross section, is constructed and arranged to overlie said slit whereby to provide a rounded bearing surface as disclosed in Fig. 3. It should be noted that bearing member 42 likewise functions as a reenforc- 1 tion and tearing of portion I! of the device.

However, when bearing member 42 has been associated in spanning relationship with edge I6, the resultant structure will adequately support items without distortion of the body portion. In

the preferred embodiment of the invention, bearing member 42 may be fabricated from cardboard wherein the arcuate form or shape is imparted incident to the die cutting operation. End cuts 43 may be provided at opposite ends of the top of member 42 for facilitating positive attachment to body portion II], the material on opposite sides of said cuts being disposed on opposite faces of supporting area I'I.

@When bearing member 42 is associated with body portion I0, lower edge 24 of flaps 20 will frictionally engage the upper edge of said bearing member.

With reference now to Figs. 4 and 5, it will be observed that the supporting member is adapted to be suspended from shank 50 of the hook portion of a so-called standard garment hanger indicated generally by the numeral 52 wherein attaching tabs 38 and 38 are folded as disclosed in Fig. 5 for suspending the support member in a manner to overlie the body portion of an evening gown, negligee or similar garment, indicated generally by the numeral 60. The skirt portion 62 of the garment is adapted to be draped upon itself and withdrawn forwardly thru aperture 28, thence draped downwardly over bearing member 42 for effectively shorteningthe overall length of said garment without mussing it.

In this connection, it should be observed that my support member enables such garments to be housed within so-called standard suit length bags, thereby effecting not only a tremendous saving in bag material, but the garment is protected against crushing and mussing' by body portion In. Likewise flaps 20 will engage the material draped over bearing member 42 thereby effectively precluding accidental or unintentional removal or displacement of the skirt portion from the bearing member 42.

In order to increase the utility of m support member, I prefer to provide a pair of inverted T- shaped slots 64 adjacent upper edges II, wherein each slot includes an upwardly extending throat portion 66 which terminates at and is in open communication with an upper edge II. These slots are adapted to receive the narrow shoulder straps often found on evening gowns and negligees, which straps have heretofore been pinned in place when such garments have been suspended from standard garment hangers. The location of slots 64 makes it a simple matter to introduce shoulder straps thru throat portion 66 for securely, though releasably hanging garmentsfrom their shoulder straps from a standard garment hanger without resorting to the use of pins or other attaching means.

A pair of laterally spaced slots 68 and I0 may be provided in body portion I0 intermediate upper edges II and the upper portion of aperture 28. As disclosed in Figs. 4 and 5, slots 68 and I0 are ideally suited to support items such as belts, ribbons and the like, which form a part of the garment being supported, or comprises an accessory of the garment. As clearly disclosed in Fig. 5, such items may be securely supported, without the use of pins or other similar devices by being threaded thru the slots as illustrated.

With reference now to Fig. 6, a modified type of support member is disclosed, which is formed from a length of wire bent to provide a lower supporting surface II6 which is connected by means of side elements II8 to an upwardly projecting attaching member I20 which is disposed at substantial right angles relative to edge H6. The upper end of member I20 is provided with means for engaging a standard garment hanger 52, preferably from that portion of the standard hanger where hook portion 50 emerges.

With reference now to Fig. 7, it will be noted that the upper end of attachment member I20 may be bent backwardly to provide an offset I22, thence to the side, and at right angles to leg I22 and member I20 for providing leg I24, thence forwardly for providing a side leg I26 which is parallel with and spaced from leg I22, thence The primary distinction between the upper "end of attaching members I20 of Figs. 6 and '7 is that in Fig. 6 legs I22 and I26 have been omitted, in all other respects the upper ends are similar.

The attaching members I20 may be quickly and securely fastened to and suspended from a standard hanger 52 by passing leg I24 to the rear of risers I34 of the standard hanger and of then lifting the lower portion of the attaching member upwardly for disposing hook portion I30 beneath element I32 of the standard hanger.

When the support member is again lowered so that element I20 engages and bears against lower element I 40 of the standard hanger, a positive lock will have been effected whereby the support member will be secured to the standard hanger against accidental or unintentional displacement therefrom.

In use the skirt portion of a garment may be draped over supporting surface H6, or a bearing member 42 may be mounted on surface H6 in such a manner as to overlie it, thereby increasing the radius of the bearing surface over which the skirt portion of a garment is draped.

From the foregoing it will be observed that I have provided a highly efficient, yet inexpensive device for shortening, without mussing, the overall length of evening gowns, negligees and other similar garments characterized by their unusual length. Such devices are ideally adapted for use by manufacturers, jobbers, retailer and cleaners as well as the owner of long fiimsy garments for transporting and storage purposes.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications in the structural details of the device may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It should likewise be understood that whereas my supporting devices have been stressed for their usefulness in shortening the overall length of garments, it should, nevertheless, be fully appreciated that my supporting devices are equally well adapted for shortening the overall length of other articles, such as drapes, curtains and the like, which also present a packaging, storage and transportation problem.

What is claimed is:

1. An auxiliary support member for attachment to a standard garment hanger, for accommodating evening gowns, negligees and similar garments characterized by their unusual length, wherein said member comprises a blank of sheet material cut to provide a, body portion having upper, side and bottom edges, a slit provided in said body portion adjacent and in spaced parallelism with said bottom edge and of a length less than the width of said body portion for providing a pair of laterally spaced end members from which the material below said slit is suspended, a pair of depending flaps provided immediately above and at opposite ends of said slit, an elongated bearing member of substantially arcuate cross section overlying said slit and spanning said end members, said bearin member providing a rounded supporting edge, attachment portions projecting from said upper edge of the body portion, said attachment portions having apertures therein dimensioned 6 to receive the shank of the hook of a standard garment hanger for suspending said auxiliary support therefrom, said support member constructed and arranged to overlie the body portion of an evening gown, negligee, or similar garment suspended from the standard hanger and to provide a supporting edge below and remote from said hanger over which the skirt portion of said garment may be draped for shortening the overall length of said garment in its suspended condition, said flaps constructed and arranged to frictionally engage those portions of the garment draped over the supporting edge for precluding accidental or unintentional disengagement of said garment from said supporting edge.

2. An auxiliary support for attachment to a standard garment hanger for supporting in folded condition items of unusual length suspended irom said hanger, which support comprises a body portion of sheet material having a width which approximates the width of a standard garment hanger and a length which is a multiple of the overall height of said hanger, a supporting element provided in said body extending transversely thereof, an elongated member spanning said supporting element for providing a reinforced load bearing edge, and tab portions on said body remote from said edge said portions being provided with apertures therein dimensioned to receive the shank portion of a standard hanger for suspending said support therefrom.

3. An auxiliary support for attachment to a standard garment hanger for supporting in folded condition items of unusual length suspended from said hanger, which support comprises a body portion of flexible fibrous sheet material having a width approximating the width of a standard garment hanger and a length which is a multiple of the overall height of said hanger, a supportin edge provided in said body extending transversely thereof, an elongated member spanning said supporting edge for reenforcin and precluding distortion of said edge under the weight of an item supported thereon, and attachment portions provided in said body remote from said edge said portions having apertures therethrough and constructed and arranged to be folded one upon another for engagement with the shank of the hook portion of a standard hanger for suspending said support therefrom.

4. An auxiliary support for attachment to a standard garment hanger for supporting in folded condition items of unusual length suspended from said hanger, which support comprises a body portion of flexible fibrous sheet material having a width approximating the width of a standard garment hanger and a, length which is a multiple of the overall height of said hanger, said body portion provided with a transversely extending supporting element secured at its ends to said body portion, a, pair of depending flaps provided in said body portion immediately above and at opposite ends of said supporting element, an elongated bearing member of substantially arcuate cros section overlying and spanning said supporting element for reenforcin it against distortion under the weight of an item draped thereover, said flaps constructed and arranged to frictionally engage items draped over and bearing member, and attachment tabs having apertures therethru projecting from said body portion remote from said supporting element, said tabs con- 7 B gstructed and arranged to be folded upon one an- UNITED STATES PATENTS other and disposed at substantial right angles Number Name Date relative to the mean plane of the body portion 1 758 807 serposs May 13 1930 to engage the shank of the hook portion of a 1962712 Dukesv June 1934 standard hanger for suspending said support 5 2037325 Hoehn Apr 1936 therefrom u 2,169,552 Bellm Aug. 15, 1939 HARRY TO'MARIN' 2,191,401 Russell et a1. Feb. 20, 1940 2,383,009 Meyer Aug. 21, 1945 REFERENCES CITED 2,387,681 Reed et al. Oct. 23, 1945 The following references are of record in the m 2,391,661 Watkins et a1. Dec. 25, 1945 file of this patent: 2,448,673 Kohl Sept. 7, 1948 

